JP2020023180A - Recording device, control device and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve convenience for a user when controlling an ink storage amount of a printing device as a whole while taking an ink residual amount in a replacement ink tank into consideration.SOLUTION: A recording device displays an ink amount on a display unit while adding an ink amount corresponding to an ink amount stored in a replacement ink tank to an ink amount stored in a buffer tank in response to acquisition of information that indicates that the replacement ink tank has been mounted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus having a storage unit for storing ink, a control device for the printing apparatus, and a control method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printing apparatus including a plurality of tank mechanisms for storing ink, it is required to appropriately manage the remaining amount of ink. Patent Document 1 discloses a recording device configured to supply ink to the head portion for ejecting the ink from the ink cartridge, and illustration that clearly the amount of ink remaining in the ink cartridge, ink remaining in the ink storage tank provided in the head portion it is described that display both the illustration that clearly amount. In the method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-163, the ink remaining amount detecting mechanism is provided in each of the ink cartridge and the ink storage tank of the head unit. can do.

JP 2005-1149 A

  However, when a remaining amount detection mechanism cannot be provided in a storage unit such as an ink storage tank, it is difficult to apply the method described in Patent Document 1. For example, the replacement ink tank, when the mechanism for detecting the remaining amount, such as bag-in-box is a container not provided is used, all of the remaining amount in the reservoir as in the method described in Patent Document 1 Cannot be detected directly. An object of the present invention is to improve the convenience of a user even when it is difficult to manage the amount stored in the entire apparatus, such as when a mechanism for detecting the amount stored is not provided.

  The present invention provides a recording unit, a first storage unit for storing a recording material supplied to the recording unit, a detection unit for detecting an amount of the recording material stored in the first storage unit, A mounting section for detachably mounting a second storage section for storing the recording material supplied to the 1 storage section, and a movement operation for moving the recording material stored in the second storage section to the first storage section; Moving means for performing, and acquisition means for acquiring information indicating that the state has been changed from a state in which the second storage section is not mounted to the mounting section to a state in which the second storage section has been mounted to the mounting section. An amount obtained by adding the amount detected by the detection unit and a predetermined amount corresponding to the amount of recording material stored in the second storage unit in response to the obtaining unit obtaining the information. Display control means capable of causing the display means to display And wherein the door.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve user convenience even when it is difficult to manage the storage amount of the entire apparatus, such as when a mechanism for detecting the amount of recording material stored in a storage unit is not provided. Becomes possible.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a recording system. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a recording unit. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the recording system in FIG. 1. Configuration diagram of the storage unit in FIG. 5 is a flowchart of ink remaining amount display control. UI display example of ink remaining amount display Image diagram showing transition of ink remaining amount display

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment of the present invention.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the drawings, arrows X and Y indicate a horizontal direction and are orthogonal to each other. Arrow Z indicates the vertical direction.

<Recording system>
FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing a recording system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The recording system 1 is a sheet-fed inkjet printer that manufactures a recorded material P ′ by transferring an ink image onto a recording medium P via a transfer body 2. The recording system 1 includes a recording device 1A and a transport device 1B. In the present embodiment, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction indicate the width direction (full length direction), the depth direction, and the height direction of the recording system 1, respectively. The recording medium P is transported in the X direction.

  It should be noted that “recording” is not limited to forming significant information such as characters and figures, but also includes forming images, patterns, and patterns on a recording medium or processing the medium regardless of significance. A case is also included, and it does not matter whether or not it has been exposed so that humans can perceive it visually. Further, in the present embodiment, sheet-shaped paper is assumed as the “recording medium”, but may be cloth, plastic film, or the like.

  In the present embodiment, using an ink as a recording material. The components of the ink are not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, it is assumed that an aqueous pigment ink containing a pigment as a coloring material, water, and a resin is used.

<Recording device>
The recording device 1A includes a recording unit 3, a transfer unit 4, peripheral units 5A to 5D, and a supply unit 6.

<Recording unit>
The recording unit 3 includes a plurality of recording heads 30 and a carriage 31. Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the recording unit 3. The recording head 30 discharges liquid ink onto the transfer body 2 to form an ink image of a recording image on the transfer body 2.

  In the case of the present embodiment, each recording head 30 is a full line head extending in the Y direction, and the nozzles are arranged in a range covering the width of the image recording area of the recording medium of the maximum usable size. I have. The recording head 30 has an ink ejection surface with nozzles opened on the lower surface thereof, and the ink ejection surface faces the surface of the transfer body 2 via a minute gap (for example, several mm). In the case of the present embodiment, since the transfer body 2 is configured to move cyclically on a circular orbit, the plurality of recording heads 30 are radially arranged.

  Each nozzle is provided with a discharge element. The ejection element is, for example, an element that generates pressure in the nozzle to eject ink in the nozzle, and a known inkjet head technology of an inkjet printer can be applied. As the ejection element, for example, an element that ejects ink by causing film boiling in the ink by an electro-thermal converter to form a bubble, an element that ejects ink by an electro-mechanical converter, and an ink that utilizes static electricity to discharge ink. An element that discharges the ink may be used. From the viewpoint of high-speed and high-density recording, a discharge element using an electro-thermal converter can be used.

  In the case of the present embodiment, nine recording heads 30 are provided. Each recording head 30 ejects different types of ink. The different types of ink are, for example, inks having different color materials, such as yellow ink, magenta ink, cyan ink, and black ink. One recording head 30 discharges one type of ink, but one recording head 30 may discharge a plurality of types of ink. When a plurality of recording heads 30 are provided in this manner, some of them may eject ink (for example, clear ink) containing no coloring material. The nine types of inks used in this embodiment are cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), black (K), light cyan (PC), light magenta (PM), gray (GY), and a reaction liquid. (T), a gloss improving liquid (G).

  The carriage 31 supports a plurality of recording heads 30. Each recording head 30 has an end on the ink ejection surface side fixed to the carriage 31. Thereby, the gap between the ink ejection surface and the surface of the transfer body 2 can be maintained more precisely. The carriage 31 is configured to be displaceable while mounting the recording head 30 under the guidance of the guide member RL. In the case of the present embodiment, the guide members RL are rail members extending in the Y direction, and a pair of guide members RL are provided apart from each other in the X direction. A slide portion 32 is provided on each side of the carriage 31 in the X direction. The slide portion 32 engages with the guide member RL and slides in the Y direction along the guide member RL.

<Transfer unit>
The transfer unit 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The transfer unit 4 includes a transfer cylinder 41 and an impression cylinder 42. These bodies are rotating bodies that rotate around respective rotation axes extending in the Y direction, and have a cylindrical outer peripheral surface. In FIG. 1, the arrows shown in the figures of the transfer cylinder 41 and the impression cylinder 42 indicate the rotation directions thereof, and the transfer cylinder 41 rotates clockwise and the impression cylinder 42 rotates counterclockwise.

  The transfer cylinder 41 is a support that supports the transfer body 2 on its outer peripheral surface. The transfer body 2 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the transfer cylinder 41 continuously or intermittently in the circumferential direction. When provided continuously, the transfer body 2 is formed in an endless belt shape. When provided intermittently, the transfer body 2 is formed into a plurality of segments in the form of a strip having ends, and the segments can be arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the transfer cylinder 41 at an equal pitch in an arc shape.

  Due to the rotation of the transfer cylinder 41, the transfer body 2 cyclically moves on a circular orbit. The position of the transfer body 2 can be distinguished into the pre-ejection processing region R1, the ejection region R2, the post-ejection processing regions R3 and R4, the transfer region R5, and the post-transfer processing region R6 based on the rotation phase of the transfer cylinder 41. The transcript 2 passes through these regions cyclically.

  The pre-ejection processing area R1 is an area where pre-processing is performed on the transfer body 2 before the recording unit 3 ejects ink, and is an area where processing is performed by the peripheral unit 5A. In the case of the present embodiment, a reaction liquid is applied. The ejection area R2 is an area where the recording unit 3 ejects ink to the transfer body 2 to form an ink image. The post-ejection processing areas R3 and R4 are processing areas for performing processing on the ink image after ink ejection, the post-ejection processing area R3 is an area where processing is performed by the peripheral unit 5B, and the post-ejection processing area R4 is a peripheral unit 5C. Is an area where the process is performed. The transfer area R5 is an area where the transfer unit 4 transfers the ink image on the transfer body 2 to the recording medium P. The post-transfer processing region R6 is a region where post-processing is performed on the transfer body 2 after the transfer, and is a region where processing by the peripheral unit 5D is performed.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the discharge region R2 is a region having a certain section. The sections of the other areas R1, R3 to R6 are narrower than the discharge area R2. In the case of the present embodiment, in the case of a clock face, the pre-ejection processing region R1 is located at approximately 10:00, the ejection region R2 is approximately in the range from 11:00 to 1:00, and the post-ejection processing region R3 is approximately. The position is at 2 o'clock, and the post-ejection processing region R4 is approximately at 4 o'clock. The transfer region R5 is located at approximately 6 o'clock, and the post-transfer processing region R6 is approximately at 8 o'clock.

  The transfer body 2 may be composed of a single layer, but may be a laminate of a plurality of layers. In the case of a configuration with a plurality of layers, for example, it may include three layers of a surface layer, an elastic layer, and a compression layer. The surface layer is the outermost layer having an image forming surface on which an ink image is formed. By providing the compression layer, the compression layer absorbs the deformation, disperses the fluctuation with respect to the local pressure fluctuation, and can maintain the transferability even at the time of high-speed recording. The elastic layer is a layer between the surface layer and the compression layer.

  Various materials such as resin and ceramic can be used as appropriate for the material of the surface layer, but a material having a high compression modulus in terms of durability and the like can be used. Specific examples include an acrylic resin, an acrylic silicone resin, a fluorine-containing resin, and a condensate obtained by condensing a hydrolyzable organic silicon compound. The surface layer may be subjected to a surface treatment in order to improve the wettability of the reaction solution, the transferability of an image, and the like. Examples of the surface treatment include a frame treatment, a corona treatment, a plasma treatment, a polishing treatment, a roughening treatment, an active energy ray irradiation treatment, an ozone treatment, a surfactant treatment, and a silane coupling treatment. You may combine these two or more. Also, an arbitrary surface shape can be provided on the surface layer.

  Examples of the material of the compression layer include acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, acrylic rubber, chloroprene rubber, urethane rubber, and silicone rubber. At the time of molding such a rubber material, a predetermined amount of a vulcanizing agent, a vulcanization accelerator and the like are blended, and further, a filler such as a foaming agent, hollow fine particles or salt is blended as necessary, and the porous rubber material is blended. It may be. Thereby, since the bubble portion is compressed with a change in volume in response to various pressure fluctuations, deformation in directions other than the compression direction is small, and more stable transferability and durability can be obtained. Porous rubber materials include those having a continuous pore structure in which each pore is continuous with each other and those having an independent pore structure in which each pore is independent, but any structure may be used. May be.

  As the material of the elastic layer, various materials such as resin and ceramic can be appropriately used. Various elastomer materials and rubber materials can be used in terms of processing characteristics and the like. Specific examples include fluorosilicone rubber, phenylsilicone rubber, fluorine rubber, chloroprene rubber, urethane rubber, nitrile rubber, and the like. In addition, ethylene propylene rubber, natural rubber, styrene rubber, isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber, ethylene / propylene / butadiene copolymer, nitrile butadiene rubber and the like can be mentioned. In particular, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, and phenylsilicone rubber are advantageous in terms of dimensional stability and durability because of their low compression set. In addition, the change in elastic modulus due to temperature is small, which is advantageous in terms of transferability.

  Various adhesives and double-sided tapes can be used between the surface layer and the elastic layer and between the elastic layer and the compression layer to fix them. Further, the transfer body 2 may include a reinforcing layer having a high compression elastic modulus in order to suppress lateral elongation when the transfer body 41 is mounted on the transfer cylinder 41 and to maintain stiffness. Further, a woven fabric may be used as the reinforcing layer. The transfer body 2 can be produced by arbitrarily combining the layers made of the above materials.

  The outer peripheral surface of the impression cylinder 42 is pressed against the transfer body 2. At least one grip mechanism for holding the leading end of the recording medium P is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the impression cylinder 42. A plurality of grip mechanisms may be provided apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the impression cylinder 42. The ink image on the transfer body 2 is transferred when the recording medium P passes through a nip portion between the impression cylinder 42 and the transfer body 2 while being conveyed in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the impression cylinder 42.

<Peripheral unit>
The peripheral units 5A to 5D are arranged around the transfer cylinder 2. In the case of the present embodiment, the peripheral units 5A to 5D are an applying unit, an absorbing unit, a heating unit, and a cleaning unit in this order.

  The application unit 5A is a mechanism that applies a reaction liquid onto the transfer body 2 before the recording unit 3 discharges ink. The reaction liquid is a liquid containing a component that increases the viscosity of the ink. Here, increasing the viscosity of the ink means that the colorant or resin constituting the ink chemically reacts or physically adsorbs when it comes into contact with a component that increases the viscosity of the ink. That is, an increase in the viscosity of the ink is observed. In order to increase the viscosity of the ink, not only the case where the viscosity of the entire ink is increased, but also the case where the viscosity is locally increased due to aggregation of a part of the ink component such as a coloring material or a resin. Is also included.

  The component that increases the viscosity of the ink is not particularly limited, such as metal ions and a polymer coagulant, but a substance that causes a change in the pH of the ink and agglomerates the coloring material in the ink can be used. Can be used. Examples of the reaction liquid application mechanism include a roller, a recording head, a die coating device (die coater), and a blade coating device (blade coater). If the reaction liquid is applied to the transfer member 2 before the ink is ejected to the transfer member 2, the ink that has reached the transfer member 2 can be immediately fixed. Thus, bleeding in which adjacent inks are mixed can be suppressed.

  The absorption unit 5B is a mechanism that absorbs a liquid component from an ink image on the transfer body 2 before transfer. By reducing the liquid component of the ink image, bleeding of an image recorded on the recording medium P can be suppressed. If the reduction of the liquid component is described from a different viewpoint, it can be expressed that the ink constituting the ink image on the transfer body 2 is concentrated. Concentrating the ink means that a decrease in the liquid component contained in the ink causes an increase in the content ratio of the solid component such as a coloring material and a resin contained in the ink to the liquid component.

  The absorption unit 5B includes, for example, a liquid absorbing member that comes into contact with the ink image and reduces the amount of the liquid component of the ink image. The liquid absorbing member may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the roller, or the liquid absorbing member may be formed in an endless sheet shape and run cyclically. In terms of protecting the ink image, the liquid absorbing member may be moved in synchronization with the transfer member 2 by setting the moving speed of the liquid absorbing member to be the same as the peripheral speed of the transfer member 2.

  The liquid absorbing member may include a porous body that comes into contact with the ink image. In order to suppress the adhesion of the ink solids to the liquid absorbing member, the pore diameter of the porous body on the surface in contact with the ink image may be 10 μm or less. Here, the pore diameter indicates an average diameter, and can be measured by a known means, for example, a mercury intrusion method, a nitrogen adsorption method, SEM image observation, or the like. The liquid component is not particularly limited as long as it does not have a fixed shape, has fluidity, and has a substantially fixed volume. For example, water, an organic solvent, and the like included in the ink and the reaction liquid are examples of the liquid component.

  The heating unit 5C is a mechanism for heating the ink image on the transfer body 2 before the transfer. By heating the ink image, the resin in the ink image melts, and the transferability to the recording medium P is improved. The heating temperature can be equal to or higher than the minimum film forming temperature (MFT) of the resin. The MFT can be measured by a generally known method, for example, each device based on JIS K 6828-2: 2003 or ISO2115: 1996. From the viewpoint of transferability and image fastness, heating may be performed at a temperature higher than MFT by 10 ° C. or more, and further, may be performed at a temperature higher by 20 ° C. or more. As the heating unit 5C, for example, a known heating device such as various lamps such as infrared rays, a hot air fan and the like can be used. In terms of heating efficiency, an infrared heater can be used.

  The cleaning unit 5D is a mechanism for cleaning the surface of the transfer body 2 after the transfer. The cleaning unit 5D removes ink remaining on the transfer member 2, dust on the transfer member 2, and the like. As the cleaning unit 5D, a known method such as a method of bringing a porous member into contact with the transfer member 2, a method of rubbing the surface of the transfer member 2 with a brush, and a method of scraping the surface of the transfer member 2 with a blade is used as appropriate. Can be. The cleaning member used for cleaning may have a known shape such as a roller shape or a web shape.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the application unit 5A, the absorption unit 5B, the heating unit 5C, and the cleaning unit 5D are provided as peripheral units, but a cooling function of the transfer body 2 is provided to some of these units, or , A cooling unit may be added. In the present embodiment, the temperature of the transfer body 2 may increase due to the heat of the heating unit 5C. If the ink image exceeds the boiling point of water, which is the main solvent of the ink, after the recording unit 3 discharges the ink onto the transfer member 2, the absorption performance of the liquid component by the absorption unit 5B may be reduced. By cooling the transfer body 2 so that the ejected ink is maintained at a temperature lower than the boiling point of water, the absorption performance of the liquid component can be maintained.

  The cooling unit may be a blowing mechanism for blowing air to the transfer body 2 or a mechanism for bringing a member (for example, a roller) into contact with the transfer body 2 and cooling the member by air or water cooling. Further, a mechanism for cooling the cleaning member of the cleaning unit 5D may be used. The cooling timing may be a period after the transfer and before the application of the reaction liquid.

<Supply unit>
The supply unit 6 is a mechanism that supplies ink to each recording head 30 of the recording unit 3. The supply unit 6 may be provided on the rear side of the recording system 1. The supply unit 6 includes a storage unit TK for storing ink for each type of ink. In the present embodiment, nine storage units TK corresponding to nine types of ink are provided.

  Each storage section TK and each recording head 30 communicate with each other through a flow path 6a, and ink is supplied from the storage section TK to the recording head 30. Passage 6a may be a flow path for circulating the ink between the reservoir TK and the recording head 30, the supply unit 6 may comprise a pump that circulates the ink. A degassing mechanism for degassing bubbles in the ink may be provided in the middle of the flow path 6a or in the storage part TK. A valve for adjusting the liquid pressure of the ink with respect to the atmospheric pressure may be provided in the middle of the flow path 6a or in the storage section TK. The height of the reservoir TK and the recording head 30 in the Z direction may be designed so that the ink liquid level in the reservoir TK is lower than the ink ejection surface of the recording head 30.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the storage unit TK, and is configured by a buffer tank 401 and a replacement ink tank 402. The storage section TK is provided with a mounting section (not shown) for detachably mounting the replacement ink tank 402. The ink tank that has run out of ink is removed from the mounting section (not shown), and a new ink tank is provided. Is replaced, the replacement ink tank 402 is replaced. At this time, by reading a two-dimensional barcode to be described later, information indicating that the state where the replacement ink tank 402 is not mounted on the mounting portion has been changed to the mounted state is acquired. Buffer tank 401 communicates with the replacement ink tank 402 by the flow path 400.

  In this specification, an operation of moving the ink stored in the replacement ink tank 402 to the buffer tank 401 is referred to as a moving operation. In the present embodiment, when the movement operation starts, a forced movement unit such as a pump (not shown) is driven, and the entire amount of ink stored in the replacement ink tank 402 is simultaneously sucked up and moved to the buffer tank 401. When the ink stored in the replacement ink container 402 is eliminated, the movement operation is finished.

<Transport device>
The transport device 1B is a device that feeds the recording medium P to the transfer unit 4 and discharges the recorded material P ′ on which the ink image has been transferred from the transfer unit 4. The transport device 1B includes a feed unit 7, a plurality of transport cylinders 8, 8a, two sprockets 8b, a chain 8c, and a recovery unit 8d. In FIG. 1, the arrows inside the figures of the respective components of the transport device 1B indicate the rotation direction of the components, and the outer arrows indicate the transport path of the recording medium P or the recorded material P ′. The recording medium P is transported from the feeding unit 7 to the transfer unit 4, and the recorded matter P 'is transported from the transfer unit 4 to the collection unit 8d. The feed unit 7 may be referred to as an upstream side in the transport direction, and the collection unit 8d may be referred to as a downstream side.

  The feeding unit 7 includes a stacking unit on which a plurality of recording media P are stacked, and includes a feeding mechanism for feeding the recording media P one by one from the stacking unit to the transport drum 8 at the uppermost stream. Each transport cylinder 8,8a is a rotating member that rotates each rotation axis extending in the Y direction and has an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical shape. At least one grip mechanism for holding the leading end of the recording medium P (or the recorded matter P ') is provided on the outer peripheral surface of each of the transport cylinders 8 and 8a. The gripping operation and the releasing operation of each gripping mechanism are controlled so that the recording medium P is transferred between adjacent transport cylinders.

  The two transport cylinders 8a are transport cylinders for reversing the recording medium P. When recording the recording medium P on both sides, after the transfer to the front surface, the recording medium P is transferred from the impression cylinder 42 to the transport cylinder 8a without passing to the transport cylinder 8 adjacent to the downstream side. The recording medium P is turned upside down via the two transfer cylinders 8a, and is transferred again to the impression cylinder 42 via the transfer cylinder 8 on the upstream side of the impression cylinder 42. Thereby, the back surface of the recording medium P faces the transfer cylinder 41, and the ink image is transferred to the back surface.

  The chain 8c is wound between two sprockets 8b. One of the two sprockets 8b is a driving sprocket and the other is a driven sprocket. The chain 8c runs cyclically by the rotation of the drive sprocket. The chain 8c is provided with a plurality of grip mechanisms spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. The grip mechanism grips the end of the recorded matter P '. The recorded material P 'is transferred from the transport cylinder 8 located at the downstream end to the gripping mechanism of the chain 8c, and the recorded material P' gripped by the gripping mechanism is transported to the collection unit 8d by the traveling of the chain 8c, and the gripping is released. You. Thereby, the recorded matter P 'is stacked in the collection unit 8d.

<Post-processing unit>
Post-processing units 10A and 10B are provided in the transport device 1B. The post-processing units 10A and 10B are arranged downstream of the transfer unit 4 and are mechanisms for performing post-processing on the recorded matter P '. The post-processing unit 10A performs a process on the front side of the recorded matter P ′, and the post-processing unit 10B performs a process on the back side of the recorded matter P ′. Examples of the content of the processing include a coating on the image recording surface of the recorded material P ′ for the purpose of protecting the image, polishing the image, and the like. Examples of the content of the coating include application of a liquid, welding of a sheet, and lamination.

<Inspection unit>
Inspection units 9A and 9B are provided in the transport device 1B. The inspection units 9A and 9B are arranged downstream of the transfer unit 4 and are mechanisms for inspecting the recorded matter P ′.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the inspection unit 9A is an imaging device that captures an image recorded on the recording P ', and includes, for example, an imaging element such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor. The inspection unit 9A captures a recorded image during a continuous recording operation. Based on the image photographed by the inspection unit 9A, it is possible to confirm a temporal change such as a tint of the recorded image and determine whether or not the image data or the recorded data can be corrected. In the case of the present embodiment, the inspection unit 9A has an imaging range set on the outer peripheral surface of the impression cylinder 42, and is arranged so as to be able to partially capture a recorded image immediately after transfer. The inspection unit 9A may inspect all the recorded images, or may inspect every predetermined number.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the inspection unit 9B is also a photographing device that photographs an image recorded on the recorded matter P ', and includes, for example, an image sensor such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor. The inspection unit 9B captures a recorded image in a test recording operation. The inspection unit 9B can photograph the entire recorded image, and can make various basic settings for various corrections on the recorded data based on the image photographed by the inspection unit 9B. In the case of the present embodiment, it is arranged at a position where the recorded matter P 'conveyed by the chain 8c is photographed. When the recorded image is photographed by the inspection unit 9B, the traveling of the chain 8c is temporarily stopped, and the whole is photographed. The inspection unit 9B may be a scanner that scans the recorded matter P '.

<Control unit>
Next, a control unit of the recording system 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control unit 13 of the recording system 1. The control unit 13 is communicably connected to a host device (DFE: Digital Front End) HC2, and the host device HC2 is communicably connected to the host device HC1.

  The host device HC1 generates or stores document data that is the basis of a recorded image. The document data here is generated in the form of an electronic file such as a document file or an image file. This document data is transmitted to the host device HC2, and the host device HC2 converts the received document data into a data format usable by the control unit 13 (for example, RGB data expressing an image in RGB). The converted data is transmitted as image data from the host device HC2 to the control unit 13, and the control unit 13 starts a recording operation based on the received image data.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the control unit 13 is roughly divided into a main controller 13A and an engine controller 13B. The main controller 13A includes a processing unit 131, a storage unit 132, an operation unit 133, an image processing unit 134, a communication I / F (interface) 135, a buffer 136, and a communication I / F 137.

  The processing unit 131 is a processor such as a CPU, executes a program stored in the storage unit 132, and controls the entire main controller 13A. The storage unit 132 is a storage device such as a RAM, a ROM, a hard disk, and an SSD, stores programs executed by the processing unit 131 and data, and provides the processing unit 131 with a work area. The operation unit 133 is a UI (user interface) including a display unit that displays a message to the user, such as a touch panel, a keyboard, and a mouse, and an input device that receives instructions and inputs from the user. The operation unit 133 includes a replacement ink tank 402, which will be described later, and a reading device such as a barcode reader that reads a two-dimensional barcode attached to a mounting unit of the recording apparatus main body on which the replacement ink tank 402 is mounted.

  The image processing unit 134 is, for example, a device having an image processor. Details of the image processing unit 134 will be described later. The buffer 136 is, for example, a RAM, a hard disk, or an SSD. The communication I / F 135 communicates with the host device HC2, and the communication I / F 137 communicates with the engine controller 13B. In FIG. 3, the dashed arrows illustrate the flow of processing of image data. Image data received from the host device HC2 via the communication I / F 135 is stored in the buffer 136. The image processing unit 134 reads the image data from the buffer 136, performs predetermined image processing on the read image data, and stores the read image data in the buffer 136 again. The image data after the image processing stored in the buffer 136 is transmitted from the communication I / F 137 to the engine controller 13B as print data used by the print engine.

  In the above embodiment, the recording unit 3 has a plurality of recording heads 30, but may have one recording head 30. The recording head 30 need not be a full line head, but may be a serial type that forms an ink image while scanning the recording head 30 in the Y direction.

  The conveyance mechanism of the recording medium P may be another method such as a method of nipping and conveying the recording medium P by a pair of rollers. In a method in which the recording medium P is conveyed by a pair of rollers, a roll sheet may be used as the recording medium P, or the roll sheet may be cut after the transfer to produce a recorded matter P ′.

  In the above-described embodiment, the transfer body 2 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the transfer cylinder 41. However, another method such as a method in which the transfer body 2 is formed in an endless band shape and travels cyclically may be used.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the supply unit 6 in the present embodiment. The storage section TK is divided into a buffer tank 401 and a replacement ink tank 402. Nine float sensors 410 are provided in the buffer tank 401 so that the remaining amount of ink in the buffer tank 401 can be detected at nine levels. Information indicating the remaining amount of ink in the buffer tank 401 is obtained as a float sensor level and stored in the storage unit 132. The storage unit 132 holds information indicating the tank state of the replacement ink tank 402, and has storage areas for the number of replacement ink tanks. In the present embodiment, since nine types of inks are used, information indicating the state of nine replacement ink tanks is held. Each piece of information indicates one of three states, “full”, “moving”, and “empty”, and the state changes independently for each tank.

  The replacement ink tank 402 is a tank that can be replaced by the user, and the replacement operation is performed by removing the tank that has run out of ink from the mounting portion and mounting a new tank. A two-dimensional barcode 420 is attached to the main body of the replacement ink tank 402, and a two-dimensional barcode 421 is also attached to a mounting portion where the replacement ink tank 402 is mounted. These two-dimensional barcodes include information such as an identifier, a name, a lot number, and a unique serial number. The replacement ink tank 402 is not provided with a unit such as a sensor for detecting the remaining amount of ink. As the replacement ink tank, for example, a container called a bag-in-box is used. The bag-in-box is a combination container for liquids composed of an inner container made of plastic and an outer container mainly made of a cardboard case. Such a container is generally not provided with a mechanism for detecting the amount of liquid stored in the container.

  Next, a flow when the replacement ink tank 402 is replaced will be described. The user removes the empty tank after the ink has been moved from the mounting portion, and then installs a new replacement ink tank 402 containing a predetermined amount of ink at the installation location, and mounts the replacement ink tank 402 on the mounting portion of the recording apparatus main body. Then, using a barcode reader belonging to the operation unit 133, the two-dimensional barcode 420 attached to the main body of the replacement ink tank 402 and the two-dimensional barcode 421 attached to the mounting unit of the recording apparatus main body are respectively separated. read. After reading, the corresponding exchange completion button 600 on the UI of the operation unit 133 shown in FIG. 6 is pressed. Thus, the main controller 13A from the state in which the tank mounting portion is not attached, it is determined that it has become a state of being mounted to the mounting portion, the information of the tank of the sympathetic ink tank 402 to the storage unit 132 holds , to update the information indicating the "full". Incidentally, at the timing when the exchange completion button 600 is pressed by the user, charging information, exchange time, information such as the number is held newly in the storage unit 132. Note that to update the information of the tank state may be triggered to read the two-dimensional bar code 420 and 421 may be triggered by the pressing of the exchange completion button 600.

  Here, the moving operation of the replacement ink tank 402 to the buffer tank 401 will be described. As described above, in the present embodiment, when the movement operation is started, the entire amount of ink stored in the replacement ink tank 402 is moved to the buffer tank 401 at one time. Thus, information indicating a tank status of the replacement ink tank 402, "full", "moving", represented by three types of "empty". The level value (float sensor level) detected by the float sensor 410 provided in the buffer tank 401 is also used to determine whether the movement operation from the replacement ink tank 402 to the buffer tank 401 is performed properly. .

  Here, in the present embodiment, when the entire amount of ink in the replacement ink tank 402 moves to the buffer tank 401, the level value detected by the float sensor 410 increases by two levels. In advance, when the moving operation is performed correctly, the time when the level value detected by the float sensor rises by 1 is acquired. Then, this time as a reference to calculate the time required to move the ink of the total amount to be stored in the replacement ink tank 402, the timeout time in consideration of the calculated time is set in advance.

  First, the liquid level of the buffer tank 401 is detected. As described above, the moving operation of the present embodiment moves the entire amount of the replacement ink tank 402. Therefore, if there is no free space in the buffer tank 401 equal to or more than the entire amount of the replacement ink tank 402, the replacement operation is performed. The ink in the ink tank 402 cannot be moved. Therefore, when the detected liquid level of the buffer tank 401 is higher than the predetermined threshold, the moving operation of moving the ink in the replacement ink tank 402 to the buffer tank 401 is not performed. Then, the moving operation of moving the entire amount of the replacement ink tank 402 after the ink in the buffer tank 401 is reduced by the recording of the image and the liquid level of the buffer tank 401 is detected to be lower than the predetermined threshold. I do. At the timing when the float sensor 410 detects that the liquid level of the buffer tank 401 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, information indicating the tank state of the replacement ink tank 402 stored in the storage unit 132 is acquired. When the acquired information indicates “empty”, a message prompting the user to replace the replacement ink tank 402 is displayed on the UI of the operation unit 133. When the acquired information indicates “full”, it is determined that the ink in the replacement ink tank 402 is ready to start moving, and the movement operation from the replacement ink tank 402 to the buffer tank 401 through the flow path 400 starts. It is. When the moving operation is started, information indicating the tank state stored in the storage unit 132 is changed to "moving", all of the ink that is stored in the replacement ink tank 402 is moved to the buffer tank 401 You. When a predetermined amount of ink is moved to the buffer tank 401 and the replacement ink tank 402 becomes empty, the information indicating the tank state of the replacement ink tank 402 is changed to information indicating “empty”, and the movement operation is completed. I do. When the movement operation is completed and the information indicating the tank state is changed to “empty”, the ink is not moved again from the replacement ink tank 402 installed at that time. Only when the replacement completion button is pressed on the UI, the state shifts to the movement startable state, and the movement operation from the replacement ink tank 402 to the buffer tank 401 can be performed at any time.

  Incidentally, the timer is started in the mobile operation starts timing. Then, if the float sensor 410 does not detect an appropriate rise in the liquid level after the elapse of the preset timeout time, it is determined that the ink has not been correctly moved, and an error indicating the fact is displayed on the UI. Is displayed. On the other hand, if it is detected that the liquid level has risen by two levels from the liquid level at the start of the moving operation, and if the time-out period has elapsed without further increasing the liquid level, it is determined that the moving operation has been performed normally. The operation of the pump is stopped. When the moving operation is completed, information indicating the tank status of the replacement ink container 402 stored in the storage unit 132 is changed to information indicating "empty", prompting replacement of the replacement ink tank 402 Warning Is displayed on the UI to notify the user.

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of the ink remaining amount display control in the present embodiment. The trigger of this sequence may be periodic or may be triggered by a specific event such as a transition to an ink remaining amount display screen. For example, if the screen update cycle is every two seconds, the display is shifted to the ink remaining amount display screen, and then this sequence is started every two seconds. The following ink remaining amount display control is performed for each of the storage units TK.

  First, in step S501, the processing unit 131 acquires information indicating the tank state of the replacement ink tank 402 stored in the storage unit 132.

  Next, in step S502, it is determined whether the information indicating the tank state acquired in step S501 is "full", "moving", or "empty". If it is determined that the information indicating the tank state is “full”, the process proceeds to step S503, and a float sensor level indicating the remaining amount of ink in the buffer tank 401 is acquired. As mentioned above, the float sensor level is the level value of the nine stages. Next, the process proceeds to step S504, and a value indicating the predetermined maximum capacity of the replacement ink tank 402 stored in the storage unit 132 in advance is acquired. When the information indicating the tank state of the replacement ink tank 402 is “full”, it is determined that the replacement ink tank 402 has this amount of ink, and in the following calculation of the remaining ink amount, this determination is made. The value obtained in step S504 is used.

  In step S505, the float sensor level value obtained in step S503 and the value obtained in step S504 are summed, and the sum is output to the display unit as remaining ink information. It should be noted that the float sensor level in the buffer tank 401 obtained in step S503 may be converted into a numerical value corresponding to the remaining amount of ink in units such as liters and then added to a value indicating the maximum capacity of the replacement ink tank. good. Further, the data may be converted into a format to be output to the display unit and then added, or another format may be used.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S502 that the information indicating the tank state of the replacement ink tank 402 is “empty”, the process proceeds to step S506, and a float sensor level indicating the remaining amount of ink in the buffer tank 401 is acquired. You. This is the same process as step S503 described above. In step S507, a value corresponding to the acquired float sensor level is output to the display unit as ink remaining amount information.

  If it is determined in step S502 that the information indicating the tank state of the replacement ink tank 402 is "moving", the process ends. The ink remaining amount display which is output to the display unit (ink remaining amount information), when moving the operation start, or continue to display the value of immediately preceding. This is because there is no means for directly detecting the remaining amount of ink in the replacement ink tank 402, and it is determined in two stages of “full” or “empty” based on information from the user, whereas the buffer tank 401 has nine stages. This is due to the fact that the float sensor level is detected. The float sensor 410 provided in the buffer tank 401, even during movement, it is possible to stepwise change the ink remaining amount display of the display unit. However, since the replacement ink tank 402 is not provided with a sensor, the remaining amount of ink in the replacement ink tank 402 during the movement operation cannot be determined. Therefore, when the total display is performed by the method of steps S503 to S505 during the moving operation, the storage amount when the replacement ink tank 402 is full is added to the remaining ink amount of the buffer tank 401 during the moving operation. At this time, an amount larger than the sum of the actual amounts of ink in the buffer tank 401 and the replacement ink tank 402 is displayed, and the display is not performed correctly. On the other hand, if only the remaining amount of ink in the buffer tank 401 is displayed during the moving operation by the method of steps S506 and S507, an amount smaller than the total ink amount is displayed. Therefore, while the information indicating the tank state is “moving”, the value at the start of the movement operation, that is, the value displayed immediately before the execution of the movement operation is continuously displayed on the UI as it is, and a constant value is maintained. . This is because during the movement operation, only the ink moves between the tanks, and the total amount of ink stored in the two tanks does not change. Then, after the movement operation is completed and the information indicating the tank state is changed to “empty”, the display method of step S506 and step S507 is performed.

  Next, a description will be given state transition information indicating a tank status of the replacement ink container 402 stored in the storage unit 132. First, when the movement operation from the replacement ink tank 402 to the buffer tank 401 is started, the engine controller 13B notifies the main controller 13A of the start. As a result, the information indicating the tank state is changed to “moving”. Next, it is determined whether or not the above-described moving operation has been correctly performed. If it is determined that the operation has been performed correctly, the information indicating the tank state is changed to “empty”. Thereafter, when the exchange completion button 600 on the UI is pressed, the information indicating the tank state is changed to “full”. When the float sensor 410 detects that the ink has been consumed and the remaining amount of ink in the buffer tank 401 is equal to or less than a predetermined level value, a movement operation from the replacement ink tank 402 to the buffer tank 401 is started, and the tank state is changed. The indicated information returns to the initial state.

  FIG. 6 is a UI display example of the ink remaining amount display in the present embodiment, and the ink remaining amount display is performed for each of the nine types of ink. For each type of ink, a color name, a percentage value of the remaining amount of ink, and a graphic image of the remaining amount of ink are displayed. FIG. 7 is an image diagram showing transition of the UI display.

  In FIG. 6, a button 600 is pressed by the user when the replacement of the replacement ink tank 402 is completed. Hereinafter, a graphic image of the remaining ink amount of each color will be described in detail. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 701 denotes a display portion of the remaining ink amount of the buffer tank 401, and reference numeral 702 denotes a display portion of the remaining ink amount of the replacement ink tank 402. A line 703 indicates the sum of the remaining amounts of ink in the two tanks. In FIG. 7, the display is distinguished by color-coding 701 and 702 for convenience. However, it is not always necessary to color-code, and it is sufficient that the line 703 is displayed. When only the line 703 is displayed without color coding, as described above, it is possible to appropriately display the total amount of ink stored in the two tanks during the movement operation.

  In order from FIG. 7 (a), the FIG. 7 (b), the FIG. 7 (c), the display is changed as shown in FIG. 7 (d), the circulated back to FIG. 7 again (a). Note that it is also possible to transition from FIG. 7 (c) to FIG. 7 (a).

  In FIG. 7 (a), replacement is completed the replacement ink tank 402, indicating that the ink is stored in each of the two ink tanks of the replacement ink tank 402 and buffer tank 401. Information indicating the stored tank state in the storage unit 132 is "full". When the ink in the buffer tank 401 is consumed by the printing operation and the float sensor level of the buffer tank 401 falls below a predetermined level, the movement operation from the replacement ink tank 402 is started. FIG. 7B shows the remaining ink amount display at the start of the movement operation. When the movement operation from the replacement ink tank 402 to the buffer tank 401 is started, the information indicating the tank state stored in the storage unit 132 is changed to “moving”. In the present embodiment, the position of the line (summed display line) 703 displayed on the UI does not change from the start to the completion of the movement operation. Incidentally, to calculate the amount of ink consumed by printing operation, even during the moving operation regularly sum display line is changed in the prediction, it is possible to express the ink consumption by the printing operation.

  When the moving operation is completed, the information indicating the tank state stored in the storage unit 132 is changed to “empty”. While the information indicating the tank state of the replacement ink tank 402 is “empty”, only the remaining amount of ink in the buffer tank 401 is displayed as the remaining amount of ink as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the ink in the buffer tank 401 is consumed by the printing operation, and the display on the UI changes to FIG. 7D. While the ink is not stored in the replacement ink tank 402, the display in FIG. 7C or FIG. 7D is displayed. After that, when the replacement of the replacement ink tank 402 is performed by the user, The display returns to the display of FIG.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, it is possible to display the total ink remaining amount of the entire recording apparatus 1A including the buffer tank 401 and the replacement ink tank 402. Also, the display of the remaining amount of ink during the moving operation is not at the liquid level detected by the float sensor 410, but is fixed at the level at the start of the moving operation, so that an appropriate display is possible.

  In the above embodiment, the main body of the recording apparatus has one or more barcode readers belonging to the operation unit 133, and does not distinguish which barcode reader has read the barcode reader. Therefore, the two-dimensional barcode 420 of the replacement ink tank 402 and the two-dimensional barcode 421 of the mounting portion to which the replacement ink tank 402 is mounted may be read by the same barcode reader or different barcode readers. it may be read. Incidentally, may not the name and identifier identifying if two-dimensional bar code, identifying a corresponding method is not limited to a bar code reader. The reading device may be one in which the display unit and the operation unit are integrated. For example, when a two-dimensional bar code is read by the camera of the tablet terminal, the reading result is displayed on the UI displayed on the tablet terminal, and the user can perform an operation necessary for replacing the replacement ink tank 402 from the UI. it can.

  A similar two-dimensional bar code is attached to not only the replacement ink tank 402 but also other replacement parts, and the read two-dimensional bar code information is stored in a part prepared in the RAM belonging to the storage unit 132. It is stored in the information storage area. The component information storage area, per replacement part, identifier, name, lot number, unique serial number is stored. For replacement parts other than the ink tank, at the time of reading once a two-dimensional bar cord, the above information is stored in the storage unit 132. For replacement ink tank 402 is a combination of identifiers of the two two-dimensional bar code identifier read in succession is "replacement ink tank" and "mounting portion replacement ink tank is attached", and stores information when the name (ink type) match.

  In this embodiment, when the user presses the replacement completion button 600, the information indicating that the replacement ink tank 402 has been removed and the replacement ink tank filled with the full ink has been attached has been acquired. However, the present invention is not limited to this mode. As described above, the main controller 13A determines that the replacement ink tank 402 has been replaced by reading the identifiers such as the two-dimensional barcodes 420 and 421 provided on the replacement ink tank 402 and the mounting portion, respectively. Is also good. When non-contact type IC chips are mounted on the two-dimensional barcodes 420 and 421, respectively, and when it is detected that they approach within a predetermined distance, a new replacement ink tank 402 is mounted and it is determined that the replacement is completed. You may. Similarly, the user may determine that the replacement ink tank 402 is being replaced by detecting that they are separated by a predetermined distance or more.

  In the present embodiment, the replacement ink tank 402 in which the ink has been moved is removed from the mounting section, and the replacement ink tank 402 containing the ink is mounted on the mounting section, and the replacement ink tank 402 is replaced. Although the determination has been described, the replacement of the entire replacement ink tank 402 is not limited to this. For example, the user may refill the replacement ink tank 402 with ink while the replacement ink tank 402 is mounted on the mounting portion. Also in this case, when the replacement ink tank 402 has been replenished with a predetermined amount of ink, by receiving information indicating that from the user, the ink in the replacement ink tank 402 is replenished and the predetermined amount of ink is refilled. It is considered that the amount of ink is stored, and the information indicating the tank state may be changed. Also, providing a measuring unit for measuring the weight of the replacement ink tank 402, if the measured weight is equal to or more than the weight for storing ink of a predetermined amount, the replacement ink tank 402 has been replaced Alternatively, it may be determined that the ink has been replenished.

  The present disclosure is a program for realizing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments through a network or a storage medium is supplied to a system or apparatus, reading the one or more processors programmed in the system or device of a computer It can also be realized by executing processing. Further, it can also be realized by a circuit (for example, an ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the recording apparatus using the water-based pigment ink containing water as a recording material has been described.However, a storage unit that stores liquid, and an apparatus including a display unit for displaying the amount of the liquid, It is not limited to a recording device.

3 Recording Unit 6 Supply Unit 401 Buffer Tank 402 Replacement Ink Tank

Claims (17)

Recording means;
A first storage unit that stores a recording material supplied to the recording unit;
Detecting means for detecting the amount of recording material stored in the first storage unit;
A mounting section for detachably mounting a second storage section for storing the recording material supplied to the first storage section;
Moving means for performing a moving operation of moving the recording material stored in the second storage section to the first storage section;
Acquisition means for acquiring information indicating that the state where the second storage section is not mounted on the mounting section is changed to a state where the second storage section is mounted on the mounting section,
The amount obtained by adding the amount detected by the detection unit and a predetermined amount corresponding to the amount of the recording material stored in the second storage unit in response to the obtaining unit obtaining the information is: Display control means capable of being displayed on the display means,
Recording apparatus comprising a. The apparatus further includes control means for controlling driving of the moving means,
2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the moving unit to start the moving operation when the amount detected by the detecting unit is smaller than a predetermined threshold. 3. .   3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving unit moves the entire amount of the recording material stored in the second storage unit to the first storage unit in the moving operation. 4.   After the movement operation by the movement unit is performed, and when the acquisition unit has not acquired the information, the display control unit may cause the display unit to display the amount detected by the detection unit. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording apparatus.   5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a unit that detects an amount of the recording material stored in the second storage unit. 6.   The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the information by receiving an input from a user.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the information by acquiring information of an identifier provided in the second storage unit.   Wherein the display control unit, while the moving operation is performed, the recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that to keep the amount to be displayed on the display unit constant.   9. The display control unit according to claim 1, wherein after the moving operation by the moving unit is performed, information prompting replacement of the second storage unit is displayed on the display unit. 10. The recording device according to claim 1.   In the moving operation, when the increase in the predetermined amount is not detected by the detecting unit after a predetermined time has elapsed, the display control unit displays information indicating that the moving operation is not correctly performed on the display unit. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is displayed on a recording medium. A recording unit, a first storage unit for storing the recording material supplied to the recording unit, a detection unit for detecting an amount of the recording material stored in the first storage unit, and a first storage unit. A mounting unit for detachably mounting a second storage unit for storing the supplied recording material, and a moving unit performing a moving operation of moving the recording material stored in the second storage unit to the first storage unit And a control method for a recording device comprising:
An acquisition step of acquiring information indicating that the state where the second storage unit is not mounted on the mounting unit is changed to a state where the second storage unit is mounted on the mounting unit;
Amount in response to the information acquired in the acquiring step, by adding the amount detected by the detecting means, and a predetermined amount corresponding to the amount of recording material is stored in the second storage unit, the A display step of displaying on a display means,
Control methods, including. A first storage unit for storing a liquid,
Detecting means for detecting the amount of liquid stored in the first storage unit;
A mounting portion for detachably mounting a second reservoir for storing the liquid supplied to said first reservoir,
Wherein the second state storage unit is not attached, the information indicating that the second reservoir is changed to a state of being mounted to the mounting portion or, and the liquid is supplemented to the second reservoir, wherein Acquiring means for acquiring at least one of information indicating that a predetermined amount of liquid has been stored in the second storage unit;
The amount obtained by adding the amount detected by the detection unit and a predetermined amount corresponding to the amount of liquid stored in the second storage unit in response to the obtaining unit obtaining the information is displayed. Display control means capable of being displayed on the means,
A control device comprising: Detachable a first reservoir for storing the liquid, and detecting means for detecting the amount of liquid stored in the first reservoir, the second reservoir for storing the liquid supplied to said first storage portion a mounting portion for rotatably mounting a control method for a device comprising a display means for displaying the amount of liquid is stored, and
Information indicating that the state where the second storage section is not mounted on the mounting section is changed to a state where the second storage section is mounted on the mounting section, or liquid is replenished to the second storage section. An acquisition step of acquiring information indicating that a predetermined amount of liquid has been stored in the second storage unit;
In response to the information acquired in the acquiring step, the amount detected by the detecting means, and a predetermined amount corresponding to the amount of liquid stored in the second storage section, the amount obtained by adding the a display step of displaying on the display means,
Control method comprising. Recording means;
A first storage unit that stores a recording material supplied to the recording unit;
A second storage unit that is a recording material supplied to the first storage unit and stores a predetermined amount of the recording material;
Detecting means for detecting the amount of recording material stored in the first storage unit;
A moving means for moving the recording material stored in the second reservoir to the first reservoir,
Control means for controlling the driving of the moving means based on the amount detected by the detection means;
A recording device comprising:
When the amount detected by the detection unit is larger than a predetermined threshold, the control unit does not drive the moving unit, and when the amount detected by the detection unit is smaller than the predetermined threshold, means recording apparatus characterized by driving said moving means to move the recording medium of the predetermined amount.   When the amount detected by the detection unit is smaller than a predetermined threshold, the control unit drives the moving unit to move the entire amount of the recording material stored in the second storage unit. The recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein   The recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the second storage unit does not include a unit that detects an amount of a recording material. A recording unit, a first storage unit for storing the recording material supplied to the recording unit, and a second storage unit for storing a predetermined amount of the recording material, the recording material being supplied to the first storage unit Detecting means for detecting the amount of recording material stored in the first storage unit; moving means for moving the recording material stored in the second storage unit to the first storage unit; A control method for a recording device comprising:
A step amount detected by the detection means when more than a predetermined threshold, without driving the moving means,
When the amount detected by the detecting unit is smaller than a predetermined threshold, driving the moving unit to move the predetermined amount of the recording material;
A method for controlling a recording apparatus, comprising:

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